I do a lot of my writing when I'm inspired. An idea takes hold of me and I just can't stop writing.
This is a very fun kind of writing to do. My writing tends to just flow.
But I often don't dedicate nearly as much time to writing as I would like to do. Life keeps getting in the way.
Recently I was able to dedicate one evening a week just to writing. An evening to myself! When I could focus all my time on writing. It sounded like heaven. But...
when I sat down to this wonderful evening I couldn't think of anything to write about.
Uh-oh! Was this going to work?
It had to! So I started to make lists. Lists of projects I had worked on in the past that I might want to get back to.
One project rekindled my interest. I had loved the idea but I knew I was approaching it from the wrong angle. And (at the time) I couldn't figure out what the right angle was.
So I started trying to give the project a fresh start. I started the project several times that evening and finally I came up with an angle... an angle that could really work.
Then I went back to inspired writing filling every spare minute. So much fun!
But if I hadn't made the time to write and stared at that blank computer screen-- this exciting project would never have been written.
So, how do you make time to write? What do you do when inspiration won't come?
Friday, November 8, 2013
Making Time to Write
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Lists are a good ideas. Other things I try: I change topic and try to start writing about something else or something new. Then eventually I can get back to my mission.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing that tends to work for me is a walk (this works better during the day, of course) or even a change of scene like taking the computer out of my office and to the kitchen. Sometimes a new line of sight for my eyes works for my hands on the keyboard as well.
Love all these great ideas, Julie! A change of scene can definitely be inspirational! And I used to love nighttime walks with my husband (before kids :o) ).
DeleteCall me nuts, but sometimes what clears my brain is a whirlwind job of cleaning the house.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Gale! I find being in a clean house to be inspirational (just wish I found the act of cleaning to be inspirational too :o)).
DeleteI've found that I can knock out 500 words pretty quickly, so that's what I try to do on a regular basis. Even if the words aren't great, and I have lots of revising to do on them before I move on, it keeps me moving in the right direction. And I can make myself write those 500 words before giving in to internet temptation -- or even house cleaning temptation.
ReplyDeleteGale, I think it would be easier to write a novel, or edit a set of encyclopedias, than clean my house :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm blocked, I try to think of a scene or setting, maybe different from the one I am stuck on, and get moving from there. It often happens when I am walking down the street and catch sight of something that gives me the idea for a setting.
ReplyDelete